Have I mentioned I love my job? I do. Completely. One of my favorite things about my job is that is is always different and I am always faced with new challenges. I am primarily a wedding and portrait photographer, but I always love a chance to do something new. These last several weeks I have gotten to play with my landscape and travel photography, it has been a joy and a nice change. While on our trip I was privileged to be asked to do a photo session with three darling girls on the beach of Soto-marina. Challenge: language barrier. This is the first time that I have done a shoot unable to communicate with my clients, an interesting challenge. I am a pretty vocal photographer, I find that speaking to my clients while I am photographing them puts them at ease. With munchkins, I am always trying to get them to giggle and playing games with them. Luckily, I did have Mariangela as my translator, and these girls are just too cute for words.  

Life is so sweet as a little girl. Not only do you get to dress up in the most adorable dresses, but life is an adventure. Picking flowers and chasing butterflies through the garden, that is an afternoon well spent. Alena and Samaya are no exception. Spending an afternoon with these two munchkins was a complete joy. 

Do you remember little Roland?? I did his mama's maternity session and his new born portraits not very long ago. And he has grown!! Not only that, his personalty is developing and I can already see that he is a charming little fella. He has the cutest little chuckle.

People drift in and out of our lives, sometimes they touch our hearts even if they are only close to us for a very short time.
 
In South Africa it is fairly common to have a domestic worker. At first, it seemed strange to have someone doing my dishes and laundry, but in South Africa, with roughly 25% unemployed, it just makes sense. It frees up time to focus on work and other things while providing someone with a job. 
 

On the first day at our place in Johannesburg I awoke to a little knock on our bedroom door. Charlie sleepily said, 'come in'. In walked Salome with a huge smile on her face. This was the first time I met Salome. She brought in a tray of hot tea with a warm hello. I knew we would be friends, and not just because she was feeding my tea habit. I  slurped down my tea and walked down to the kitchen where Salome was busy making breakfast. The table was all set with fresh flowers from the garden. Charlie and I sat down to breakfast, enjoying every bite. Then Charlie scampered off to work and I got started working on admin from home. And this is how just about every morning started while in Johannesburg.


Salome and I became very close in a  very short time. We went to the shops together and shared stories along the way. She told me all about her family, her house (which is almost finished, it just needs a roof), and life in general. I used my time in South Africa to work on improving my business processes which meant a lot of computer time. When I was not out on an adventure I was working pretty hard, having Salome with me was a joy. Salome would try to distract me, 'Your eyes must be so tired. Stop looking at the computer. Here, look at this tea.' She would regularly tell me that I needed to move to Johannesburg and buy this house. 'You should live here.' she would tell me. Almost every day.


Salome. She is strong, kind and funny. She stood up for herself and her family when it mattered most. She has courage. She has built a life for herself and she is proud of what she has accomplished. She has a big family including a grandson on his way to becoming a doctor. The highlight of her month is when she gets to go home and see her family. Salome has been working for the same lady (the owner of the house we were staying) for almost 30 years. When Salome was just 23 she moved to Johannesburg and taught herself to speak Zulu, the fourth in her repertoire of languages.

When it came time to say goodbye to Salome I told her that I was leaving for Cape Town and I probably would not see her again before I leave for the United States. She said 'No! I will not eat all week. Do not tell me this.' The very last thing I remember her saying to me was, 'Oh no, my Baby is leaving.' It was true. I was leaving and she had touched my heart. 

I don't know if I will ever see Salome again, but I will never forget what she has taught me. No matter what life throws at you it is important to give it everything you have. Be strong. Enjoy life and greet every day with a smile (and a cup of tea). Sing while you work. Don't forget to take breaks. And most importantly, always show the people around you how much you care for them. 

We have done it since she was just a little peanut. I used to babysit her for my brother when she was brand new, this is where it all started. After taking piles of photographs of her I would scoop her up, blare the music and dance, dance, dance. We still dance, and she still loves it. I blare the music, scoop her up in my arms and she sequels with delight. I spin to the music and she closes her eyes, throws her head back and starts singing the words she still doesn't know. One of these days she will be to big to pick up and spin into circles. But I hope she never stops dancing.